Bag filling, weighing, and sealing machines



Jan. 28, 1958 H v. KINDSETH 2 BAG FVI/LLING, WEIGHINGL AND SEALING MACHINES Original Filed Feb. 12, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 SUPPLY V/BRATIIVG INVENTOR. 'h'ARoLo K/I/INDJETH Jan. 28, 1958 Original Filed Feb. 12, 1948 H. v. KINDSETH 2,821,354 BAG FILLING, WEIGHING, AND SEALING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3. II I I- I N 8 q h j L 1! u 1 m V Q g a b 22* Q F I INVENTOR. HAROLD VIM/V055 Th ATTORNEFJ 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 28, 1958 H. v. KINDSETH BAG FILLING, WEIGHING, AND SEALING MACHINES Original Filed Feb. 12,1948 Y United States Pat -O BAG FILLING, WEIGHING, AND SEALING MACHINES Harold v. Kindseth, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Bemis Bro. Bag Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Missouri Original application February 12, 1948, Serial No. 7,817. Divided and this application January 4, 1951, Serial N 0. 204,396

9 Claims. (Cl. 249-) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in bag filling, weighing and sealing machines, and is' directed more particularly to a novel conveyor having means for weighing each bag as it is transported from the filling to the bag top sealing means.

The present application is a division of my pending application for Bag Filling and Sealing Machines, Ser. No. 7,817, filed February 12, 1948, now Patent No. 2,671,585.

Numerous products are now packaged in large, flexible walled containers or bags, which, after having received their full charge of material, have their open tops closed and sealed by folding a strip of sealing tape over the flattened bag top walls and securing it thereto by a suitable adhesive or by stitching. In some instances the bag tops may be sewed only. When filling bags on a conventional auger type packer, each empty bag is loosely fitted over the packer tube and is supported upon the usual packer platform which gradually lowers as the bag is filled. When the bag has received its charge from the packer tube, which is usually slightly under full weight, the filled bag is manually removed from the packer platform and delivered to a suitable check weigher assembly which in cludes a scale and means for delivering an additional quantity of material into each bag to bring the weight of its contents up to the required weight.

The above method of filling large bags is rather slow and requires considerable manual handling of each filled bag. It is therefore highly desirable thatmeans be embodied in such bag filling and sealing machines, whereby each bag may be brought up to full weight and sealed without such manual handling of the bags.

An important feature of the present invention, therefore, resides in the provision of an improved bag filling and sealing machine comprising a conveyor for transporting each filled bag from the packer tube to the bag top sealing means, which conveyor has a scale embodied therein to indicate the material required in each bag ,to bring it up to full weight, whereby such bags may be expeditiously filled,

weighed and sealed, without required manual handling of the filled bags, and also whereby such operation may be performed with a minimum of labor.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved packaging machine which requires a minimum of manual labor in its operation, is eflicient and practical, requires a minimum of floor space, and is semi-automatic in operation, whereby the operation of filling, weighing and sealing the open tops of large bags may be expeditiously accomplished with a minimum of effort.

A further object is to provide a bag holder adaptedto be used in conjunction with a conventional packer tube to support an empty bag thereon while receiving a charge, and means being provided in the construction of the bag holder for aligning the sealed bag bottom with the conveyor onto which the bag is delivered afterreceiving its initial charge, and whereby the open bag top will properly approach the sewing machine, or bag top closing mecha- Patented Jan. 28, 1958 A further object is to provide an apparatus of the class described, comprising a bag holder operated in conjunction with a packer tube to pendently support an empty bag thereon while receiving a predetermined charge, and means being provided in conjunction with the bag holder whereby the filled bag may be conveniently released from the bag holder, when a predetermined charge has been delivered thereinto, and after which the bag is deposited on 'a"'fsuitable conveyor and advanced to a check weigher assembly for receiving an added amount of material to bring'the weight of its contents up to full measure, the loaded bag then passing through a suitable bag top closing and sealing mechanism where its top wall portions are pressed into fiatwise relation and suitably secured together to thereby complete the filling, closing and sealing ofthe bag.

' A further object is to provide a packaging machine comprising means for filling, weighing, closing and sealing large flexible walled paper or textile bags, as the bags are intermittently advanced through the machine, said apparatus comprising a minimum of simplified manual controls whereby it may readily be operated by an inexperienced operator,

' ,A further objecti's to provide a machine of the class described, comprising a bag holder for suspendinga bag in operative relationto a conventional packer tube, whereby the bag, during the filling operation, is gradually lowered into position to be deposited upon a conveyor in an upright position, when the bag has received its initial charge, said conveyor delivering the bag onto a scale or weighing apparatus operated in conjunction with a vibrator feeder which is automatically set into motion when the bag reaches a position directly therebeneath, whereby additional material is trickled into the partially filled bag until the bag has received its full weight, whereupon the operation of the vibratory check weigher feeder is automatically interrupted, and the completely filled bag is passed through a bag closing and sealing mechanism which closes and seals the bag top, after which the sealed bag is delivered to a suitable receiving means.

. A further object is to provide an apparatus of the class described comprising a plurality of electrically and manually operated control elements adapted to be actuated during each cycle of operation to control the operation of the various mechanisms of the machine.

Another object of the invention resides in the unique orientation of the various mechanisms and control elements of the apparatus, whereby a single operator may, if desired, attend the machine, his only duty being to successively slip the empty bags over the bag holder and to guide the tops of the filled bags into the sewing head, which he has ample time to do while a succeeding bag is being filled by the packer tube.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims. In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the novel bag filling, weighing and sealing machine herein disclosed, showing the various stations thereof;

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1, partially in sec- 'tion, showing the driving means for the elevator and sewing head, and also indicating the position of the weighing platform and check weigher assembly; I

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on the lined;

of Figure 1, showing a partially filled bag positioned to receive the necessary added material from the vibrating feeder to bring the weight of the bag contents up to full measure; and

Figure 4 is a wiring diagram showing the electrical connections between the various control elements of the apparatus.

General The novel bag filling and sealing machine herein disclosed is shown comprising a bag filling station or unit A, a weighing station B, and a bag top closing and sealing imian C mp i a plu ity of rols s i te m nected and related that when a bag is fitted onto the filling tube 2 of my packer unit, it will receive a predetermined shares h h is l ht nde th gh req ir to completely fill the bag. The bag thus partially filled is then deposited onto a conveyor generally designated 3 h sk sv t s s it to eighin s a n E. where t m m tarily comes to rest to receive the additional material necessary to bring its contents up to full weight, after which the bag is advanced to station C, where its top is closed and sealed.

Packer unit-station A The packer unit is shown comprising a filling tube 2, which may be of conventional design, and has its upper end connected to a hopper 4 adapted to deliver a predetermined charge into each bag, which is slightly under the necessary weight required to fill the bag before sealing its top. The hopper 4 is shown having a. conduit 5 connecting it to a main supply hopper 6, as best illustrated in Figure 1.

A feed auger 7, of well known construction, is shown within the filling or packer tube 2 and has a shaft 8 extending upwardly through the hopper 4 and operatively connected to a drive shaft 9 by gears 11 and 12. A clutch, generally designated by the numeral 13 and well known in the art, is provided on the drive shaft 9 and operates in conjunction with the bevel gear 12 to control the driving connection between the drive shaft 9 and the auger shaft 8. The drive shaft 9 may be driven from any suitable source of power, not shown in the drawings.

The hopper 4, conduit 5 and the driving means for the auger 7 may be supported upon a suitable supporting frame shown comprising upper and lower horizontal members 14 and 15, and an upright member 16 having its upper and lower ends suitably secured to the hpri- The bag holder for supporting each empty bag upon the packer tube 2 during the filling operation, is indicated in Figure 1, and comprises a, sleeve, generally designated by the numeral 21, which fits over the packer tube 2 and is adapted. for up and down movement thereon, The sleeve has anoutwardly turned flange 22 at it upper-end whereby it may be secured to apair of laterally extend- 1 ing-arms 23 of a suitable carriage 24, having guide wheels 25-for engaging the tubular. uprights 17 and 18.5

Briefly, the carriage comprises spaced side plates 26 and 27 secured together in spaced relation by suitable cross members 28, preferably of angle ironcross section,

as bestillustrated in Figure 2. Suitable diagonal braces 29 have their lower endssecured in fixed relationto the side plates 26 and 27 of the carriage and their upperends to the laterally extending arms 23 of the carriage. The

carriage. and bagholderarecounter-balancedby suitable weights 3 1 eachsecured tooneend of a cable 32'which pass. over sheaves 33 and havetheir opposite endssecured to the carriage at opposite sides thereof, as will be understood by reference to the numeral 34 shown in Figure 1. A suitable brake, generally designated by the numeral 35, may be mounted upon the upper frame member 14 of the packer to operatively engage one of the sheaves 33 to control or retard the return movement of the bag holder from its lower to its uppermost position, each time a filled bag is discharged therefrom onto the con veyor 3.

The clutch 13 for controlling the operation of the auger 7 is manually shifted into operative position to drive the auger by manipulation of a foot pedal 36 having a connection 37 operatively connecting it to the clutch through suitable linkage, generally designated by the numeral 38. A spring, not shown, and which may be embodied in the clutch, is provided for rendering the clutch 13 inoperative each time the operator removes his foot from the pedal 36. In Figure 1 the clutch pedal is shown in its depressed position, as when the clutch is rendered operative to drive the feed auger 7.

Brackets 39 are secured to the upper portion of sleeve 21 adjacent to the flange 22, in diametrically opposed relation relative to the bag holder sleeve 21, and are shown provided with depending arms 43 for supporting a pair of rock shafts 46. Diametrically opposed clamping jaws 49 are adapted to be actuated by rocking movement of the shafts 46 to clamp a bag top in position on the sleeve 21, or to release a bag top therefrom. The shafts 46 are adapted for simultaneous operation by a pneumatically operated device comprising a cylinder 56 having a fitting 57 secured to one end thereof which has a forked terminal 58 adapted to be operatively connected to the swinging end of one of the arms 59. The

arm 59 on the other shaft 46 is connected to one end of a piston rod 71, mounted for reciprocal movement in the cylinder 56. Suitable conduits 74 and 75 are connected to the opposed ends of the cylinder 56 and have their opposite ends connected to a control valve, generally designated by the numeral 76. The control valve 76 may be of conventional design, and is shown provided with dual exhausts 77 and 78, and an operating piston 79. The piston 79 is mounted for reciprocal movement within the valve body and serves to control fluid flow therethrough. A conduit 81 has one end connected to the valve body 76 and its opposite end may be connected to a. suitable source of air supply, under pressure, not shown.

The specific construction of the bag holder is described in detail in the above mentioned patent, and, as it forms no partof the present invention, it is believed unnecessary-to further describe the bag holder herein.

Conveyor The endless conveyor generally designated 3 of the present machine constitutes an important feature of the invention. It comprises an endless flexible conveying element or belt 83 mounted on rolls 84 and 85, shown supportedon shafts 86. and 87, respectively. The lower run 83A of the belt 83 passes over idler pulleys 88 and 89. The conveyor belt may be in the form of a single belt or it may be composed of a plurality of individual endless belts arranged in spaced parallel relation and cooperating to provide a carrying surface for the filled bag bodies, as they-successively advance from the packer tube to the bag-"topfclosing and sealing means, best shown in Figtires 1 and 2.- Suitable antifriction supporting rollers 91 may be provided to support the upper run or strand 83B of the belt 83. To retain the bags in an upright position, a's'uitable guide rail 92 is shown provided on the far side of the conveyor, when viewed as shownin Figure 1. The guide-rail 92 may be supported on suitable upright posts 93 secured to the supporting frame 94 of the conveyor. I

The operation of the conveyor is controlled by manipulationbf a conveniently located foot pedal 95, mounted for pivotal movement on the machine frame, as shown in Figures 1 and :2. The foot pedal 95 is normally retained in its elevated position, as shown in full lines in Figure l, by a suitable spring, not shown in the drawings, and it is operatively associated with a suitable control switch, generally designated by the numeral 90. The control switch 90 controls the operation of a suitable electric motor 96 having an operative connection with the conveyor through a belt drive 97, a speed reducer 98, and a second belt drive 99, as indicated in Figure 2. The control switch 90 is so interconnected in the control circuit, later to be described, that when the foot pedal 95 is depressed, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1, the circuit to the motor 96 is closed, whereupon the conveyor will continue to operate without interruption, so long as the operator depresses the foot pedal. When the operator releases his foot from the control pedal 95, it moves upwardly to the full line position shown in Figure 1, and opens the control switch 90 and thus interrupts the supply of current to the motor 96.

Check weigher assembly-station B Another important feature of the invention resides in the embodiment of a check weigher assembly 103 in the conveyor 83, which functions to supply the partially filled bag body with the additional material to make up the full measure required before closing the bag top. The check weigher assembly includes a suitable scale indicated by the numeral 102 having a weighing platform, generally a trough or feeder 104 preferably of the vibratory type,

having its discharge end 105 positioned over the path of travel of the open bag tops whereby material may trickle ':from the trough 104 into the open bag tops, as the bags :successively pass over the weighing platform 101. Mate- .rial may be delivered into the trough 104 of the check weigher assembly from a suitable supply conduit 106.

The vibratory trough 104 is actuated by an electrically operated vibrator coil 107, of well known construction.

,A normally open control switch 108 is connected in the "circuit of the vibrator coil 107, and has an operating arm i110, indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1, and shown in The switch 108 may be ,Inter-connected in the vibrator circuit is a time delay :relay, generally designated by the numeral 120, which also is of well known construction. This relay functions 'to slightly retard the action of the vibrator to allow ampie time for the bag to assume its position beneath the discharge end 105 of the vibrator spout 104.

Means is provided for automatically opening the circuit to the vibrator coil the instant the bag has received its full weight of material. Such means may be in the form of a normally open convention mercury switch, generally designated by the numeral 109, which preferably is mounted upon the tiltable scale beam 111 of the scale 102 in such a manner that when each bag has received its .full measure and the scale beam 111 swings upwardly and causes the mercury switch 109 to close the trough 104 instantly comes to rest.

The operation of the conveyor may then be resumed,

- by depressing the foot pedal 95, whereby the completely filled bag advances to station C. When the scale beam 111 is returned to its normal closed position, the mer- -cury'switch 109 opens and again conditions the circuit to the vibrator coil 107 for operation, whereby it is in condition to function when the next bag approaches the weighing platform 101.

The scale beam 111 is shown pivotally mounted upon a pivot pin 112 carried by a bracket 113 mounted on an ofisetarm 114 secured to the upright post 115 of the scale. The post 115 is shown supported upon a suitable base 116, in which the usual linkage between the scale beam and scale platform may be contained, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3. Upright posts 117 may be carried by the scale platform 101 for supporting a guard rail 118 against which each bag body may be supported when the bags are successively temporarily brought to rest at station B to receive the required material to make up its full weight.

Bag top closing means-station C Means is provided for closing and sealing the open bag tops, and is shown comprising a sewing head or machine, generally designated by the numeral 119. This sewing machine may be of well known construction, and therefore need not be described in detail in the present application. The sewing head 119 is suitably mounted over the path of travel of the bag tops in position to successively receive the flattened bag tops and press the walls of each bag top firmly into fiatwise relation. strip of tape 121 may then be folded over the flattened bag top walls and stitched thereto by a seam 122 as is well known.

If desired, the tape may be coated on one side with a suitable heat scalable adhesive whereby when the tape has been secured to the bag top, the bag tops may be passed between suitable heated pressure rolls, to thereby cause the adhesive to become reactivated to further seal the bag tops. The supply of tape may be mounted over the sewing machine in the form of a roll 123 and feeds downwardly therefrom over a guide roll 124 to a suitable folder 125 which longitudinally folds the tape over the bag top walls.

The sewing machine may be driven by a belt drive 126 driven from a belt 127 having a running connection with a pulley 128 of a suitable speed reducer 129. The speed reducer 129 may be driven from the belt 97 of the motor 96. See Figure 2. The sewing head or machine 119 is vertically adjustable with respect to the bag tops by a suitable mechanism 131 well known in the industry.

Control elements and circuits in Figure 4. As here shown, electric supply circuit for the motor 96 comprises wires 132, 133 and 134, connected to a suitable supply of electric energy, not shown. A magnetically operated starting switch of conventional design, is indicated at 135. This switch includes a solenoid coil 136 shown having a wire 137 electrically connecting one side thereof to a terminal post 138, and a second wire 139 connects the opposite end of the solenoid 136 to a terminal post 141 of the foot switch 90, hereinbefore referred to.

The foot switch comprises the contact 141 and a second contact 142 adapted to be alternately engaged by a switch element 143 carried by the foot pedal 95. The switch element 143 is connected to a terminal post 144 to which one end of a wire 145 is connected. The opposite end of wire 145 is connected to a conductor 146 of an electric supply circuit 147, through a suitable fuse 148. The contact post 144 of the switch 90 is therefore constantly in direct connection with the supply circuit 147. A conductor 149 constitutes the other side of th supply circuit. 147. and is connected, to. a simi r u 1.5 fr m which a wire 152. leads to a Wire 153, shown connected between a rectifier, generally designated by the numeral 154, and the terminal post- 138. A suitable switch 155 is provided in the wire 152,.

The rectifier 154 serves to provide the necessary pulsating D. C. current for the vibrator coil 107 of the check Weigher assembly 103, hereinbefore described. A. C. current from the supply circuit 147 passes through the rectifier 154 and is converted into pulsating current which then flows from the rectifier 154 through wire 156, fuse 15 7, and to control switch 158, adapted for manual operation, and which may be interconnected with the control switch 155 provided in the conductor 149. Another wire 159 leads from the switch 158 to one end of the vibrator coil 107, the other end of which has a wire 161 connecting it to a movable element 162 of the scale switch 108, hereinbefore referred to.

A wire 163 leads from the other sidejof the switch 108 to a terminal 164 of a mechanically held relay, generally designated by the numeral 165. A second contact 166 is positioned adjacent to the contact 164 and a switch element 167 is adapted to bridge the contacts 164 and 166 to permit the flow of electric energy from one post to. the other.

A wire 168 connects the post 166 to a terminal 169 of the time delay relay 120. The relay 120 has a normally open control member 171 shown mounted on a post 172 having a wire 173 electrically connecting it to one end of a relay coil 174 of the time delay relay 120, hereinbefore referred to. The other side of the coil 174 has a wire 175 electrically connecting it to the terminal post 138, as clearly illustrated in the wiring diagram. To complete the circuit to the rectifier 154, a wire 176 is shown leading from the fuse 148 of the conductor 146 to the rectifier.

The time delay relay 120 serves to momentarily delay the action of the check weigher assembly to make certain that each bag may reach a position beneath the discharge spout 104 before feeding is started. Current is supplied to the relay coil 174 from the switch 90 through a wire 177. One end of the wire 177 is shown electrically connected to the wire 173 and its opposite end is shown electrically connected to the contact 142 of the switch 90.

Operating in conjunction with the scale switch 108, is the normally open mercury switch 109 which is carried directly by the scale beam, and is so arranged that when the weighing platform 101 is empty of bags, the circuit is open. The contacts of the mercury switch 109 are connected respectively to the adjacent ends of wires 178 and 179. The opposite end of wire 178 is shown connected to the contact post 169 of the time delay relay 120, and the wire 179 is connected to the fixed contact 181 of the mechanically operated relay 165. The contact 181 has a supplemental contact 182 and a switch element 183 is adapted to bridge the contacts 181 and 182 to permit the flow of current therebetween. The switch elements 167 and 133 may be interconnected for simultaneous operation, as shown at 100 in Figure 4, so that when the bridge member 167 bridges the contacts 164 and 166, the bridge element 183 will simultaneously electrically connect the contacts 181 and 182.

The mechanically operated relay 165 is shown embodying a pair of solenoid coils 184 and 135 which are operatively associated with the bridge elements 167 and 183 in such a manner that when the solenoid 184 is energized, the bridge elements 167 and 183 will bridge the gaps between the contacts 164 and 166 and 181 and 182, respectively, as is well known in devices of this general type. The solenoid 185 is shown having a wire 186 connecting one side thereof to the contact 182, and the opposite end of the solenoid coil 185 has a wire 187 connecting it to the corresponding end of the solenoid 184. A wire 188 connects the solenoid 184 and wire 187 to the terminal post 138, anda wire1 89 electrically connects th pposit d at e. q mid s i 8 m a onta 191 of the mechanically operated relay switch 165. The contact 191 has a complemental contact 192 having =a wire 193 connecting it to the fixed contact 141 of the foot operated switch 90.

Operation.

The novel bag filling, weighing and sealing machine herein disclosed may readily and conveniently be operated by a single operator, or, if desired, two operators may be employed. When the machine is at rest in its normal condition, the foot pedals 36 and are in elevated positions, and the packer tube is disposed in its elevated position. If gusset type bags are to be filled, the operator grasps the bag top 'by the gussets at opposite sides thereof and brings his hands slightly together to cause the bag mouth to open. The bag may then be readily slipped over the packer tube 2 and upwardly thereon until the bag top walls are aligned with the jaws 49 of the bag holder, it being understood that during the return movement of the packer tube from its lower to its elevated position, the four-Way valve 76 is automatically actuated to release the air from the cylinder 56 and permit the jaws to return to their open positions.

To thus automatically actuate the valve 76, its piston 79 is shown provided at one end with an operating lever 194 which may be pivoted at 195 and extends outwardly into the path of a lug 196 carried by the operating rod 37, as shown in Figure 1. The valve operating lever 194 is normally positioned as indicated in dotted lines in Figure l, and the lug 196 is normally positioned above the lever 194. It will thus be seen that when the operator depresses the pedal 36, the lug 196 will engage the valve lever 194 and actuate the piston 79 of the valve to admit air to the cylinder 56, and thereby cause the jaws to firmly grip the bag top. In Figure 1 the parts are shown in the positions assumed when the foot pedal is depressed to start the packer auger to deliver material into. the bag, as indicated by the arrows.

Secured to the lower end of the piston 79 of the control valve 76 is a similar control lever 197 shown pivoted at 198 to the valve body. The lever 197 is operatively connected to the piston 79 and has its free end positioned in the path of a rod 199 carried by the carriage 24. The

rod 199 is adapted to engage the lever 197 and thereby actuate the valve 76 to cause it to reverse the flow of air to the control cylinder 56, whereupon the bag holder jaws 49 are actuated to release the bag top, and simultaneously the operation of the auger is interrupted by control mechanism well known in the art.

The conveyor 83 is normally at rest. When it is initially desired to operate this bag filling, weighing and sealing machine, manual switches 158 and are simultaneously thrown by their common handle from the normally open position of Figure 4 to closed position. This initially establishes a circuit from lead line 146 through fuse 148, line 176, to the transformer of rectifier 154 and thence through switch 155, line 152, and fuse 151 to lead line 149. This energizes the rectifier circuit. The rectifier is of the thermionic type with a filament heater, However, it is to be understood that other types of rectifiers such as selenium may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Thus,

' the rectifier 154 is of any standard type well known in the art, is served with alternating current from lines 149 and 146 and provides pulsating direct current by halfway rectification on line 156.

Closure of switches 158 and 155 also establishes a circuit from lead line 146 through fuse 148, via line 145, contacts 144 and 142, via line 177, through the coil 174 of the normally open time delay relay 120, via line 175, juncture 178, line 153, through switch 155, line 152 and fuse 151 to lead line 149.

E bli hmen of a c rs it thro gh th so l .74 9 99! mallyopen time delay relay 120 closes contact member 171 after one seconds delay but does not establish a circuit from .line 173, through contacts 172 and 169, through line 168 and beyond terminal 166, since the mechanically operated relay 165 is in the position shown in Figure 4, and contacts 164 and 166 are not connected at this time.

Even though relay 120 is closed, no circuit is estab lished at this time from terminal 169 through line 178 and beyond as switch 109 is in normally open position. At the same time no circuit is established from terminal 138 through line 188, via line 187 through solenoid 185 of mechanical'relay 165 to terminal 182 and beyond, as the mechanically operated relay 165 is normally in the position shown in Figure 4 and terminals 182 and 181 are not connected. Relay 165 is a mechanical relay with an overcenter toggle action so that when one solenoid is activated and the relay is thrown to one position, it stays in that position, even though the solenoid drops out, until the second solenoid is activated. It is, of course, to be understood that the relay per se forms no part of this invention.

A circuit is conditioned at this time however through relay coil 184 from terminal 138 via line 188, and then via line 189 through contacts 191 and 192 which are closed by contact bar 183, thence via line 193 to terminal 141. Since the foot switch 95 is in normally elevated position, terminal 141 is spaced apart from contact member 143 and no circuit is established at this time. A circuit is also conditioned from terminal 138 via line 137, through solenoid 136, via line 139 to terminal 141 but is not completed at this time because switch 90 is in elevated position.

No circuit is established from line 156, rectifier 154 to coil 107 of the check weigher assembly at this time as switch 108 is in its normally open position.

An underweight bag, as shown by 80 is placed on the endless belt conveyor 3 as shown in Figure 4. The

pedal 95 of foot switch 90 is then depressed from the full line to the dotted position of Figure 4. When this pedal is so depressed, the following operations ensuez'A circuit is established between terminal 144 through movable switch element 143, terminal 141 via line 139 through relay coil 136 to terminal 138. This operates normally open magnetic switch 135 and the motor 96 begins to operate to run the conveyor 3 in the direction of the arrow as shown in Figure 4. A circuit is also established at this time from terminal 144, through terminal 141, via line 193, through contacts 192 and 191, via line 189, through solenoid 184, via line 188 to terminal 138. This operates to cause the contact elements 167 and 183 of mechanically operated relay 165 to be thrown from the full to the dotted line position of Figure 4, and this circuit thus interrupts itself after throwing the mechanical relay.

Movement of switch pedal 95 from the full to the dotted line position of Figure 4 also interrupts the circuit from terminal 144, via element 143, through terminal 142, via line 177 to terminal 173 and hence element 171 of time delay relay 120 drops out immediately and assumes the position of Figure 4, so that no circuit can be established to coil 107 of check weigher assembly 103 while the conveyor is running.

The energization of solenoid 184 causes contact elements 167 and 183 of mechanically operated relay 165 to assume the dotted line position of Figure 4 and conditions for establishment a circuit from terminal 166, through element 167, terminal 164, line 163 to the switch 108 which is in its normally open position. Closure of switch 108 at this time by engagement with bag 80 will condition a circuit via line 161 through coil 107 via line 159, through switch 158, and fuse 157 to the rectifier 154 and the coil 107 will begin to operate to deliver material into bag 80 when element 171 of time delay dotted line position bf Figure 4 conditions for establishment a circuit from terminal 138, via line 188, through solenoid 185, via line 186, contacts 182 and 181, via line 179 to normally open scale switch 109.

- When the bag has moved from station A to a po-" sition over the scale platform 101, station B on conveyor 3, foot switch is released from the dotted to the full: line position of Figure 4. Simultaneously, lever of switch 108 is engaged by the bag 80 as explained heretofore and is closed to condition the circuit to coil 107".- Movement of foot switch 90 from the dotted to the full line position of Figure 4 interrupts the circuit heretofore established to magnetic switch and consequently" motor 96 ceases to operate and the conveyor comes to a halt. This movement of switch 90 also establishes a circuit from terminal 144, element 143, terminal 142, via line'177 through solenoid 174 of time delay relay 120 and contact elements 171 of time delay relay 120 is closed after a brief time delay of one second to insure thatthe bag has assumed its resting position at station B.- Closure of element 171 establishes a circuit through contact 169, via line -168,'contacts 166 and 164, and line: 163, and since switch 108 has previously been engaged.

by-the bag, coil 107 becomes activated and additional. material dribbles into bag 80. A circuit is also conditioned for establishment from terminal 169 via line 178 to normally open switch 109. When switch 109 is closed as the bag comes up to its full weight and bears down on:

scale platform 111 a circuit will be completed via line: 179 contacts 181 and 182 through solenoid 185 of mechanically operated relay and the elements 167 and! 183 will be moved from the dotted to full line position. of Figure 4, thereby breaking the circuit to coil 1072. This is the original or starting position. The foot pedal may then be depressed to re-energize motor 96 to run the bag 80 off to the left end of the conveyor 3 to station C where its open top is closed and sealed by the sewing head 119, and to condition the circuits as previously ex plained for a second cycle of operation for a second bag. In the meantime a fresh bag is positioned upon the conveyor at station A and the cycle is repeated.

The foot pedals 36 and 95 are normally retained in elevated positions by suitable springs, not shown, in the drawings. The foot pedal 36 may be returned to its elevated position by the clutch operating mechanism 13 which controls the operation of the auger, such mech-- anism being well known in the art.

pressed condition to cause the conveyor to operate.

entire apparatus at all times.

sired, operate the machine.

invention, and it will also be apparent to those skilledi in the art that the embodiment herein described may be: variously changed and modified without departing fromi the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is ca pable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein: disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my' invention is not limited thereto. I claim as my invention:

1. In a bag filling and closing machine, filling means for delivering successive short weight charges into sue cessive bags, a conveyor for receiving the partially fillect bags from the filling means, a scale associated with the conveyor, means for operating said conveyor to trans. port bags to a scale, means for interrupting operation of said conveyor as each bag reaches a position over said relay 120 isclosed. Movement of element 183 to the 75" scale, an electrically operated means for delivering ad The switch pedal 951v is so arranged that the operator must hold it in de- This. has been found a very practical and convenient method of control because by so arranging the foot pedal the. operator has complete control of the operation of the The two pedals are conveniently located whereby a single operator may, if de- In some instances however it may be found more desirable to employ two operators...

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I; have accomplished at least the principal objects of my" ditional material positioned adjacent to the scale,, an-

electric circuit for said, meansfor. delivering additional material, anormally opengcontrol.switchinsaid circuit having an operating member positioned in theupathof the bags adapted to be actuated by each bag delivered onto the scale whereby said normally open switch is closed by each bagdelivered ontothe scaleto thereby condition said circuit to subsequentlysupply current to.

said means, for delivering additional .material, a normally open switch in said controlcircuit mounted onra movable part of the scale, a manually operable member for controlling the operationvof the conveyor and said means for delivering additional material simultaneously whereby when an underweight bag reaches a position on the scale, the control circuit for said means for delivering additional material may be closed to causesaid means for delivering additional material to operate and deliver additional material into the open top ofv each underweight bag, and said normally open switch automatically closing by actuation of the movable part of the scale when the bag has received its full weight to thereby automatically interrupt said means for delivering,

weight of said bag, a material delivery means positioned thereover, means for operating the conveyorbelt to successively transport bags to the check weigher, means for interrupting operation of the conveyor as each bag reaches a position over the weighing platform and whereby said platform may support the bag, a control switch engageable by an advancing bag as it moves into position over the weighing platform to condition said delivery means for operation, means for operating said deliverymeans to deliver material into each bag to bring its weight up to predetermined measure when temporarily at rest on the weighing platform and after such conditioning, and means responsive to movement of the weighing platform for automatically interrupting operation of the delivery means when the bag has received said predetermined measure.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that said means for interrupting operation of the conveyor initiates operation of the delivery means to deliver material to the bag when said delivery means has been conditioned for operation.

4. A bag -filling and, closing machine according to claim 2, wherein a manually operable control element is provided for controlling operation of the conveyor and delivery means..-

' 5. Albag filling and closing machine according to claim 2, whereinthe control switch for the delivery meansis interconnected with the means for interrupting operation of the conveyor, whereby the delivery means cannot function until a bag comes to rest over said weighing platform.

6. In a bag filling machine, an endless conveyor for supporting bags thereon, means for delivering a short weight charge into each bag and for then delivering the partially filled bag onto said conveyor, a scale, means for operating said conveyor to transport said partly filled bags to the scale, said scale associated with the conveyor, means, forinterrupting operation of said conveyor as each bag. reaches a position .over said scale, delivery means operativelyoconnected with the .scale for delivering additional charge,intov each.,said ,partly filled bag, control 1r1eans-.made, operative by the .weightfof each bag. deliyeredonto thescaleand. by the interruption of the conveyor tocause; said delivery. means to.operate anddeliver additional material into each underweight bag, and. means.

carried by the scale and made operative when the bag has' received its full weight of material, to automatically in. terruptthe operation of'said delivery means.

7. In a bag filling machine, a conveyor comprising-an" endlesslinear belt having upper and lower horizontal runs, means for delivering a bag onto the conveyor, a horizontally stationary weighing platform positionedirr operative relation to the upper run of the conveyor belt, means for deliveringmaterial into said bag positioned :thereover, operating means for said last means, meansfor operating the conveyor belt to successively transport said bag along said upper run to said weighing platform; a manually operable device for effecting. interruption of: the conveyor when a bag reaches a position over the: weighing platform, and whereby said platform will temporarily, support the bag and its contents, a control ele-.

ment for the delivering means positioned to be engaged" by each bag approaching the weighing platform, thereby" to condition the delivering means for operation, andi means connecting said control element operatively to said,-

manually operable device wherebyv when the operatoractuates said device to cause a bag to come to rest on the 1 weighing platform, the delivering means will function'to delivermaterial into the bag.

8. In a bag filling machine, a linear conveyor, means connected with the scale, control means responsive to theprogress of each bag along the conveyor to condition said means for delivering an additional charge for operation,

and whereby said means for delivering an additional charge cannot operative to deliver additional material into the bag until the bag is properly positioned relative to said means, means for starting said means for delivering additional material, and means carried by the scale and made operative when the bag has received its full weight of material to automatically interrupt the operation of said means for delivering an additional charge.

9. In a bag filling and conveying apparatus, an endless belt conveyor having an upper run, a scale platform, a-

vibratory means for delivering material to said bag positioned over said scale platform, said scaleplatform being disposed beneath said upper run, electrical means for actuatingsaidvibratory meansto deliver'additional material to saidvbag and an engagement switch operableby the progress of said bag on said upper run whereby the circuit to said vibratory means may be conditioned for completion, an operator actuable member adaptable to be moved from a first to a second position for the actuation J of said endless belt conveyor, said operator actuable' member when moved to said second position operatingto condition the circuit to said vibratory means, said operator actuable member when moved to said first position operating. to complete a circuit to said vibratory'means only if said'engagement switch has been previously engaged by said bag, a time delay relay to prevent the completion of said circuit for a short time and switch means positioned onsaid scale for interrupting the circuit to said vibratorymeans when said bag:reaches predetermined weight.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS (Other references on followin'gpage) 13 UNITED STATES PATENTS Russell Nov. 6, 1934 Richard Jan. 11, 1935 Wright Jan. 7, 1936 Marsh Aug. 18, 1936 Segebaden Mar. 9, 1937 Cleaves Apr. 13, 1937 Ryan Nov. 30, 1937 14 Gwinn Dec. 14, 1937 Rapp May 10, 1938 Merchen Dec. 15, 1942 Talbot Apr. 27, 1943 Nowak Aug. 24, 1943 Le Frank Sept. 26, 1944 Ahlburg Mar. 15, 1949 Willbrandt Apr. 29, 1952 Vredenburg July 8, 1952 

